Putting a pergola next to a boundary

Many gardens only have room for a pergola along one side, which usually means close to a fence, wall or hedge. That is often workable. It does need more care with measuring, with height and with the people on the other side.

Find out where the boundary actually is

The fence is not always the boundary. It may sit inside your land, on the line or partly on the neighbour's side. A title plan may not show the line precisely enough to settle a small difference. If the exact line matters to your plan, look at your deeds and talk to your neighbour before you rely on the fence.

Measure from the right points

Planning limits and good sense both depend on the distance from the boundary, so measure it carefully.

• Measure from the nearest part of the structure, not the post centre. A roof, gutter or louvre frame that overhangs the posts is closer to the fence than the posts are.
• Measure square to the boundary, not at an angle across the garden.
• Use the maker's drawing, not the size in the product title. The what size pergola guide explains why nominal size and the real footprint differ.
• Write the distance down with the date and the model. You may need it for the council, an installer or your neighbour.

Why height on the drawing matters

Near a boundary, height is the figure that matters most for planning. It is also the one most often misread. A kit page may give post height, height to the underside of the beam, or overall height to the top of the roof or louvre frame. These are not the same figure.

• Use the overall height from the maker's dimensioned drawing for your exact model.
• Add anything that raises it. Base plates, pads standing proud of the ground, decking or a raised patio, and a gutter or roof edge all add height.
• Measure from the ground the council would use. On a sloping garden that may not be the lowest or the highest point. Ask if you are unsure.

We do not print a legal height here. The limits, and the exceptions that remove them, are explained on our planning permission page. Rules differ across the UK, so check with your council if in doubt and before you build.

Talk to your neighbour first

A pergola close to a fence changes the view from next door. A roofed one can shade a neighbour's patio or windows. A quick conversation before you order costs nothing and avoids most disputes.

• Show them the drawing and where it will go.
• Mention the roof type and any side screens or lighting.
• Agree how you will reach the fence side for maintenance, or leave enough room to do it from your side.
• If you need to go onto their land to build or maintain it, ask. Do not assume.

Practical points near a fence

• Do not fix the pergola to the fence. A fence is not designed to carry a pergola, and a shared or neighbour's fence is not yours to fix to.
• Leave a gap for maintenance, for painting a timber post, clearing a gutter or fixing the fence itself.
• Think about rain. A roof that sheds water towards the fence can soak the neighbour's side or the fence base. The rain and guttering guide covers where water goes.
• Consider a freestanding frame rather than one fixed to the house if the side wall is also a boundary. The wall-mounted or freestanding guide compares the two.

For choosing the spot in the first place, see where to site a pergola.

How close to a fence can I put a pergola?

There is no single answer we can give. It depends on the height of the structure, where it is, what kind of property you have and which part of the UK you are in. Read our planning permission page and check with your council.

Do I have to tell my neighbour?

Telling them is good manners and avoids most disputes. Whether there is a formal requirement depends on what you are building and where. Ask your council if you are not sure.

Can a pergola go on top of a boundary wall?

Do not fix a pergola to a boundary wall without advice. The wall may be shared, it may not be built to carry the load, and it raises planning and neighbour questions. Get advice from a builder and your council first.